Opposition Sees Off Returning Holiday Travelers vs Ruling Party Visits Fire Site... Divergent Approaches to Public Welfare

The Democratic Party visits Guryong Village site... Support for disaster victims
Opposition: "Public's economic worries higher than ever"
People Power Party leadership candidates also measure voter sentiment

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Juni Park] Ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, the leadership of both ruling and opposition parties embarked on public sentiment visits on the 20th. The People Power Party visited Guryong Village in Seoul, where a fire had occurred, while the Democratic Party visited Yongsan Station to greet returning holiday travelers.

The People Power Party leadership visited Guryong Village in Seoul on the morning of the 20th. They inspected the safety of the site where a fire broke out near a church in District 4 of Guryong Village earlier that morning, rapidly spreading to the surrounding area and causing 500 people to evacuate. Sung Il-jong, the Policy Committee Chair, stated at the party’s morning floor meeting, "A fire broke out in Guryong Village this morning, causing many residents to be alarmed and evacuate," adding, "The President, who is currently in Switzerland, has instructed to make every effort in fire suppression and to mobilize all available resources to ensure that the victims can safely celebrate the Lunar New Year." Sung also requested, "I ask the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to work together to provide warm consolation to the residents affected by the fire during this cold and difficult period."

Earlier, the Emergency Response Committee also visited Gwangju the previous day to hold an on-site meeting emphasizing reconciliation and unity. This visit is also interpreted as an effort to win over public sentiment in the traditionally challenging Honam region ahead of the holiday.

Sung said, "For the past three years, families could not meet due to COVID-19, but this is the first holiday we are welcoming under eased conditions," adding, "The party and government have carefully prepared safety, transportation, medical services, and price stability measures so that the public can enjoy a comfortable holiday rest. We will continue to pay close attention during the remaining period."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party leadership visited Yongsan Station and Itaewon on the morning of the 20th. Party leader Lee Jae-myung and floor leader Park Hong-geun, among others, greeted returning holiday travelers and then visited the joint memorial altar for the victims of the Itaewon tragedy set up in Itaewon Plaza to pay their respects. This is seen as a sign that the opposition party will not forget the tragedy even during the Lunar New Year holiday. Earlier at the Supreme Council meeting, Lee said, "Although the holiday is approaching, the hearts of the people are not at ease. The soaring prices and interest rate burdens have deepened the economic hardships of the people more than ever," urging, "I repeatedly call for swift agreement on the 30 trillion won emergency livelihood project." He has been emphasizing livelihood issues with visits to Mangwon Market in Seoul on the 18th and an inspection of a military base in Paju the day before.

The Justice Party leadership also headed to Seoul Station on the morning of the 20th. Party leader Lee Jeong-mi and floor leader Lee Eun-joo, after greeting returning travelers, will head to Gwangju in the afternoon to meet with victims of Japan’s forced mobilization. Lee stated, "The spirit of Gwangju aligns with the Justice Party’s spirit and platform, which is dedicated to workers, the socially vulnerable, and ordinary citizens," and announced plans to start an innovative re-founding in Gwangju.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited an air defense unit located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the 19th. After inspecting the short-range surface-to-air guided missile Cheonma, he encouraged the commanders. Photo by National Assembly Press Corps

People Power Party leadership candidates also continued their efforts to win votes ahead of the holiday. Representative Kim Ki-hyun visited welfare centers and traditional markets in his constituency of Ulsan to extend holiday greetings. Representative Ahn Cheol-soo plans to visit former President Lee Myung-bak (MB) in the afternoon. Afterwards, he is scheduled to visit traditional markets and greet returning holiday travelers in his constituency of Seongnam.

Representative Cho Kyung-tae will visit traditional markets and welfare centers in his constituency of Busan and plans to greet returning travelers at Busan Station. Representative Yoon Sang-hyun will continue attending party member meetings in the Gyeongnam region following the previous day. Former Representative Na Kyung-won remains in a low-profile mode and is expected to announce her schedule related to running for party leader after the Lunar New Year holiday.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.